Watford hosted play-off rivals West Brom at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon
Vakoun Bayo scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season as they won 2-1
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By WILL PICKWORTH
Published: 05:33 EST, 16 December 2024 | Updated: 05:33 EST, 16 December 2024
If Tom Cleverley is going to be the man to take Watford back to the Premier League after a three-season absence, a formidable home record will be key.
Thankfully for the Hornets boss, he can rely on exactly that after his side made it 12 games unbeaten in all competitions at Vicarage Road in 2024-25 with a 2-1 win over play-off rivals West Brom.
On an afternoon where Watford went level on points with the top six, one of Cleverley’s biggest success stories in Vakoun Bayo was the difference, with the former Man United man steadfast in backing the often-maligned forward, who is enjoying his best season yet in English football
They did have to withstand late pressure when Jayson Molumby’s effort squirmed through Daniel Bachmann, but the good times are on their way back at Watford under Cleverley's leadership.
‘I’m hugely proud of the players.’ he said post-match. ‘Against a really strong side with a top coach and a lot of pressure on this game, that’s the performance that’s pleased me the most.
'The connection we’ve built between supporters and ourselves is fantastic and we’ve beaten some top teams here this season.'
Vakoun Bayo scored twice as Watford beat play-off rivals West Brom 2-1 at Vicarage Road
Bayo opened the scoring with a header before he fired in an impressive second after the break
Tom Cleverley's side are now unbeaten at home in 12 matches in all competitions this season
West Brom came into the clash in the midst of a unique 12-match unbeaten run that had seen them draw 10 games and win only twice.
But they almost went behind early on when Rocco Vata hit the bar and the Hornets began to click into gear.
Giorgi Chakvetadze was at the heart of everything and it was his magical skill that started the move to open the scoring.
While the attacking midfielder has a lower profile than his fellow Georgian stars shining across Europe, there are few better players in the Championship.
Chakvetadze nutmegged Mason Holgate, before he played in Vata who crossed for Bayo to nod home his eighth goal of the season.
The Baggies should have levelled but Karlan Grant failed to get the ball out of his feet from six yards out and they were made to pay when Bayo added a second with a delightful chest and volley, although there were strong calls for a foul on Josh Maja in the build-up.
‘I'm really pleased for Bayo,’ Cleverley added. ‘He’s a player who sacrifices himself to the team and if he maintains that and scores goals we’ve got a complete striker at this level.’
Bachmann had to be astute to tip away late efforts from John Swift and Darnell Furlong, but the Hornets held firm to ensure they switched places with the Baggies in the table - and ended their lengthy unbeaten run.
Giorgi Chakvetadze put in a top class display for Watford and was at the heart of their play
Jayson Molumby pulled one back for the Baggies to set up a nervy finish for the hosts
But Carlos Corberan's side couldn't rescue a point as their own unbeaten run came to an end
‘It’s a difficult defeat to accept,’ West Brom boss Carlos Corberan said. ‘The team never gave up, we tried to make the best we could.
'We scored to make it 2-1, but after we couldn’t finish the game with the feeling we wanted.’
WATFORD 2-1 WEST BROM - MATCH FACTS
Watford (4-2-3-1): Bachmann © 7; Ngakia 7.5, Porteous 7, Pollock 7, Morris 7(Larouci 81), Louza 7, Sissoko © 7; Baah 7.5 (Sierralta 74), Chakvetadze 8.5 MOM, Vata 8 (Kayembe 74); Bayo 8 (Jebbison 86)
Substitutes not used: Bond (GK), Ince, Dwomoh, Ebosele, Andrews
Manager: Tom Cleverley 7.5
Scorer: Bayo 35, 50
Booked: Sissoko, Louza
West Brom (3-4-2-1): Palmer 6; Holgate 6, Bartley © 6.5 (Frabotta 65 6), Heggem 6.5; Furlong 6.5, Molumby 7 (Wallace 78), Racic 6 (Mowatt 65 7), Styles 6 (Johnstone 46 7); Fellows 6, Grant 6.5, Maja 6 (Swift 65 6.5)
Substitutes not used: Wildsmith (GK), Diakite, Dobbin, Cole
Manager: Carlos Corberan 6.5
Scorer: Molumby 68
Booked: Molumby, Fellows, Swift
Referee: Gavin Ward 5
Attendance: 19,774
West Bromwich AlbionWatford